It was reportedly hijacked in Jeppe.
Preliminary investigation, based on the vehicle number plate, suggested that the car used in the robbery as a getaway car was not previously reported as stolen.
Officers initially traced the number plate to a resident of Vosloorus.
Police, however, later determined that the robbers’ car was fitted with a cloned number plate.
It eventually emerged that someone copied the Vosloorus man’s vehicle number plate and placed it on the getaway car.
The gang of gun-wielding robbers are accused of storming the Fashion World store on Commissioner Street, in the Boksburg CBD, and holding staff and customers at gunpoint, on April 5.
According to the police, the robbers escaped with several new cellphones and an undisclosed amount of money.
Car guards noticed three robbers running towards a fourth accomplice, a driver in the waiting getaway car, which was parked a few metres from the scene.
The brave, unarmed car guards gave chase, but the robbers repeatedly fired shots at them. No one was injured.
In the process, the driver of the getaway car apparently panicked and drove off, leaving a suspect behind.
He was subsequently apprehended by the car guards.
The guards were soon joined by the police, who then pursued the getaway car, described as a greyish double-cab Nissan bakkie.
With the assistance of a police helicopter and back-up vehicles from the Flying Squad, EMPD and local police stations, officers cornered the getaway vehicle on the N17 westbound.
In an attempt to escape capture, the suspects reportedly jumped out of their vehicle and ran towards the nearby bushes.
The large contingent of police, however, managed to arrest two of them, but the other one, who is a fourth suspect in the robbery, remains at large.
The stolen money and cellphones were recovered, and the vehicle was confiscated.
Police also found two firearms and a toy gun in possession of the suspects.
The suspects are now facing a charge of business robbery and more charges may be added.
There are reports that the suspects have been terrorising the country and they may be linked to other violent crimes reported in various towns, including Benoni.
Police confirmed that the suspects could be linked to other crimes.
The trio appeared in the Boksburg Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 7 and 14.
Their case was postponed for further investigation, and they were remanded in custody. @FanieFLK
Fashion World robbery suspects appear in court |
Help police trace accomplice in Fashion World robbery
